Frederick Eugene Machesney moved to Rockford, Illinois in 1927 and in July of that year opened what became known as Rockford's First Official Airport. He was twenty-nine years of age at the time and had earned the confidence and sponsorship of some of Rockford's influential businessmen. In just a few short years he would, through tireless work and determination, create not just a thriving business, but the local and regional hub of aviation.
Shortly after World War I, Machesney borrowed $400 dollars from his father and sought out the instruction of the aviation pioneer and daredevil Art “Bird Boy” Smith. Machesney traveled to Sikeston, Missouri to train with Smith and completed his first solo after just 5.5 hours in the air. Following his flight training, Machesney worked for a few years to earn the $1000 needed to purchase his own JN-4D Jenny, which he did in 1924. From that point on, flying was Machesney’s life and livelihood. He joined a flying circus and performed in barnstorming shows around the region. He also opened his first airfield in his hometown of Kewanee, IL. Over the next few years Machesney grew his flying business and in 1926 had a chance meeting with a few Rockford businessmen at a summer picnic. The following year, his legacy as Rockford’s most influential aviator officially began with the opening of his airport.
During his fifty-seven year career, Machesney was involved in almost every aspect of local aviation, from giving general aviation flight lessons to ferrying shoppers to Chicago to leading Civil Aeronautical training during the Second World War. Frederick Machesney can indeed be considered the Father of Rockford Aviation.
Please join us here as we explore the career and influence of Fred Machesney through weekly stories and posts about our local aviation heritage.
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Machesney and pilots with his Curtiss Jenny at his first airfield in Kewanee, IL. Photo courtesy of the Kewanee Historical Society |
Shortly after World War I, Machesney borrowed $400 dollars from his father and sought out the instruction of the aviation pioneer and daredevil Art “Bird Boy” Smith. Machesney traveled to Sikeston, Missouri to train with Smith and completed his first solo after just 5.5 hours in the air. Following his flight training, Machesney worked for a few years to earn the $1000 needed to purchase his own JN-4D Jenny, which he did in 1924. From that point on, flying was Machesney’s life and livelihood. He joined a flying circus and performed in barnstorming shows around the region. He also opened his first airfield in his hometown of Kewanee, IL. Over the next few years Machesney grew his flying business and in 1926 had a chance meeting with a few Rockford businessmen at a summer picnic. The following year, his legacy as Rockford’s most influential aviator officially began with the opening of his airport.
During his fifty-seven year career, Machesney was involved in almost every aspect of local aviation, from giving general aviation flight lessons to ferrying shoppers to Chicago to leading Civil Aeronautical training during the Second World War. Frederick Machesney can indeed be considered the Father of Rockford Aviation.
Please join us here as we explore the career and influence of Fred Machesney through weekly stories and posts about our local aviation heritage.
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Machesney’s first airport in Rockford, 1927. Less than a year later, MAC moved about a half mile north to his final location on the present site of Machesney Park mall. |